Everything Science Grade 11

8.1 CHAPTER 8. TYPES OFREACTIONS

Acid-carbonate reactions ESBBZ

Activity: The reaction of acids with carbonates

Apparatus and materials:

Small amounts of sodium carbonate powder and calcium carbonate powder; hydrochloric

acid and sulphuric acid; retort stand; two test tubes; two rubber stoppers for the test tubes; a

delivery tube; lime water. The demonstration should be set up as shownbelow.

sodium carbonate & hy-

drochloric acid

limewater

delivery tube

rubber stopper

rubber stopper

Method:

1. Pour limewater into one of the test tubes andseal with a rubber stopper.


2. Carefully pour a small amount of hydrochloric acid into the other test tube.


3. Add a small amount of sodium carbonate to the acid and seal the test tube with the rubber
   stopper.


4. Connect the two testtubes with a delivery tube.


5. Observe what happens to the colour of the limewater.


6. Repeat the above steps, this time using sulphuric acid and calcium carbonate.

Observations:

The clear lime water turns milky meaning that carbon dioxide has beenproduced.

When an acid reacts with a carbonate a salt, carbon dioxide and water are formed. Look at the follow-
ing examples: